HiSET Reading Study Guide

inference

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

characterization

A method an author uses to let readers know more about the characters and their personal traits.

character

A person, animal or inanimate object portrayed in a literary work.

conflict

A problem

external conflict

A struggle between a character and an outside force

internal conflict

A struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a single character

foreshadowing

An author's use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story

connotation

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

climax

Most exciting moment of the story; turning point

deduction

Reasoning from general to specific.

What should you consider when visualizing?

Sounds, smells, and sights

What is the definition of 'gist'?

The main point or 'essence'.

context

Within the text, The circumstances in which something occurs

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid. (metaphors, similes, analogy)

conclusion

a judgement based on the information obtained

first-person narrator

a narrator, referred to as "I," who is a character in the story and relates the actions through his or her own perspective, also revealing his or her own thoughts

hyperbole

exaggeration

Applying what you know about U.S. history when you read a historical novel is an example of using _____.

prior knowledge

What is denotation?

the literal meaning of a word; the dictionary definition

Breaking apart a word into its component parts is an example of using _____.

word structure